ESO announces Stanger audition winners

First place Aditi Prakash will perform at future Symphony concert

Held on February 11 at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church in Elmhurst, the competition showcased 25 outstanding high school musicians from many of the western suburbs. Special thanks go to this year’s judges, Jean Hatmaker, Susan Merdinger and Dianne Ryan, who spent many hours listening to and critiquing these spectacular young performers, choosing four winners:

First Place: Aditi Prakash, Viola

Viola Concerto, Movement 1, by Walton

12th Grade, Naperville North High School

Teacher: Thomas Wermuth

Second Place: Jack Boettcher, Cello

Cello Concerto No.1 in E Flat Major, Op. 107 by Shostakovich

10th Grade, Naperville North High School

Teacher: Hans Jorgen Jensen

Third Place: Thomas Huang, Piano

Piano Concerto, Op. 38 by Barber

10th Grade, Barrington High School

Teacher: Dr. Soyoung Kee

Fourth Place: Nicole Weirui Tong, Violin

Violin Concerto, Op.14 by Barber

9th Grade, Naperville North High School

Teacher: Desiree Ruhstrat

Stanger Audition first-place winner Aditi Prakash will perform with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra at a subscription concert during its 2017-18 season. Other winners will perform for Kiwanis and other local groups in the next few months.

Thanks go to Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church and staff for the use of the church and their able assistance and to the dedicated Symphony volunteers who made the event possible: Bruce Forbush, Mary Lou Saville, Cynthia Krainc, Rosie Klepper, Sarah Sabet, David Jackson, and Judy Nesladek. The Symphony is especially grateful to the Stanger Audition’s main sponsor, the Elmhurst Kiwanis Club, for its long-time support, to contributor Raita Vilnins, and to the Stanger Audition’s administrator, Becca Anderson, for organizing the event. Thanks also go to the Elmhurst Symphony Auxiliary’s Eunice B. Sidner Scholarship Fund for sponsoring the fourth-place winner. For more information, call the Symphony office at (630-941-0202 or visit elmhurstsymphony.org.